“I hope we’re not interrupting your newlywed life.”
Elena laughed.
“James is assembling a bookshelf. Trust me, you’re improving my afternoon.”
Marissa chuckled.
Then she became serious.
“June’s school performance is next Friday.”
“I remember.”
“She told me yesterday she doesn’t want to go.”
Elena sat up.
“Why?”
“She says she doesn’t belong in the dance.”
Elena waited.
Marissa explained what had happened during rehearsals.
Mr. Pierce had worried about the stage layout.
He’d suggested moving June to the side and giving her responsibility for the music cues.
June felt excluded.
Her classmates had continued practicing without her.
And Theo had become increasingly frustrated watching his sister lose interest in something she loved.
“That explains why he asked me to stand,” Elena said.
Marissa sighed.
“I think he believed that if he could show June someone standing after an injury, she’d stop being afraid.”
“Elena standing wouldn’t change June’s condition.”
“I know.”
“And June shouldn’t have to stand to be included.”
“Exactly.”
Marissa hesitated.
“I’ve been trying to help, but June doesn’t want me marching into school and demanding special treatment.”
Elena understood.
She remembered how exhausting it had been when people made decisions about her without asking what she wanted.
“Does June want to speak with me?” she asked.
